Conan the Barbarian Budget
AdventureFantasyAction2h 10mUpdated
Synopsis
The most legendary Barbarian of all time is back. Having thrived and evolved for eight consecutive decades in the public imagination- in prose and graphics, on the big screen and small, in games and properties of all kinds- Conan's exploits in the Hyborian Age now come alive like never before in a colossal 3D action-adventure film.
A quest that begins as a personal vendetta for the fierce Cimmerian warrior soon turns into an epic battle against hulking rivals, horrific monsters, and impossible odds, as Conan realizes he is the only hope of saving the great nations of Hyboria from an encroaching reign of supernatural evil.
What is the budget of Conan the Barbarian?
"Conan the Barbarian," an adventure released in 1982, was directed by John Milius and stars Arnold Schwarzenegger, James Earl Jones. The production budget was $20,000,000, placing it in the mid-budget range for adventure productions of the 1980s.
Key Budget Allocation Categories
While specific budget breakdowns are not publicly available, typical cost drivers for an adventure production like this include:
- Stunts, Action Sequences & Visual Effects: Action films allocate a substantial portion of their budget to choreographing and executing practical stunts, pyrotechnics, and CGI-heavy sequences.
- Above-the-Line Talent (Cast & Director): A-list talent commands significant upfront fees plus backend participation.
- Production Design, Sets & Locations: Action films frequently require multiple international shooting locations, large-scale set construction, vehicle acquisitions and modifications, and specialized equipment , all of which drive production costs well above those of dialogue-driven genres.
- Development: John Milius first expressed interest in directing a film about Conan in 1978 after completing the filming of Big Wednesday, according to Buzz Feitshans, a producer who frequently worked with Milius.
What were the major cost factors in Conan the Barbarian?
Several factors contributed to the overall production costs of "Conan the Barbarian."
- Stunts: Stunts, Action Sequences & Visual Effects is one of the primary cost drivers in adventure productions of this scale.
- Above-the-Line Talent (Cast: Above-the-Line Talent (Cast & Director) is one of the primary cost drivers in adventure productions of this scale.
- Production Design: Production Design, Sets & Locations is one of the primary cost drivers in adventure productions of this scale.
How Does Conan the Barbarian's Budget Compare to Similar Films?
At $20,000,000, Conan the Barbarian sits in the mid-budget range. Here is how it compares to productions with a similar budget:
- 12 Years a Slave (2013): Budget $20,000,000, Worldwide Gross $187,000,000
- 21 Grams (2003): Budget $20,000,000, Worldwide Gross $60,427,839
- 3 Ninjas Kick Back (1994): Budget $20,000,000, Worldwide Gross $11,798,854
- A Guy Thing (2003): Budget $20,000,000, Worldwide Gross $17,400,000
- A Most Violent Year (2014): Budget $20,000,000, Worldwide Gross $12,007,070
The median budget for wide-release adventure films in the era ranges from $30 to 80M for mid-budget to $150M+ for tentpoles.
Conan the Barbarian Box Office Performance
"Conan the Barbarian" earned $39,565,475 domestically and $68,851,475 worldwide at the box office. Against a production budget of $20,000,000, the film performed strongly at the box office.
A film typically needs to earn approximately twice its production budget to cover marketing and distribution costs. For "Conan the Barbarian," that break-even threshold was roughly $40,000,000. With worldwide earnings of $68,851,475, the film cleared that threshold comfortably.
- Production Budget: $20,000,000
- Worldwide Gross: $68,851,475
- Net Return: $48,851,475
- ROI: approximately 244.3%
At 244.3%, "Conan the Barbarian" earned roughly $3.44 for every $1 invested in production.
Conan the Barbarian Production History
John Milius first expressed interest in directing a film about Conan in 1978 after completing the filming of Big Wednesday, according to Buzz Feitshans, a producer who frequently worked with Milius. Milius had long been an admirer of films like 1958's The Vikings. He and Feitshans approached Pressman, but differences over several issues stopped discussions from going further.
The drafting of a story for a Conan film started in 1976; Summer conceived a script with the help of comic book writer Roy Thomas, who had been adapting the character's adventures for Marvel Comics since 1970. Summer and Thomas's tale, in which Conan would be employed by a "dodgy priest to kill an evil wizard", was largely based on Howard's "Rogues in the House". Their script was abandoned when Oliver Stone joined the project.
! Actor ! Role While they were working to secure the film rights, Pressman and Summer were also contemplating the lead role. Summer said they considered Charles Bronson, Sylvester Stallone and William Smith,all of whom had played tough figures but, in 1976, the two producers watched a rough cut of the bodybuilding film, Pumping Iron, and agreed that Arnold Schwarzenegger was perfect for the role of Conan due to his huge, muscular frame. According to Schwarzenegger, Pressman's "low-key" approach and "great inner strength" convinced him to join the project.
Awards and Recognition
2 wins & 10 nominations total
- Saturn Award for Best Actress: Sandahl Bergman (10th Saturn Awards)
Critical Reception
The media's reactions toward Conan were polarized. Aspects of the film heavily criticized by one side were regarded in a positive light by the other; Professor Kenneth von Gunden wrote, "for every positive review the film garnered, it received two negative ones." The opinions of Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times and Richard Schickel of Time illustrate their colleagues' divided views.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much did Conan the Barbarian cost to make?
The production budget was $20,000,000, a significant figure for a 1982 sword-and-sorcery release. Dino De Laurentiis financed the film through De Laurentiis Entertainment Group, with Universal Pictures handling distribution under a multi-picture output deal.
How much did Conan the Barbarian earn at the box office?
The film grossed $39,565,475 domestically on its initial release and approximately $40,400,000 internationally, for a worldwide total of approximately $80,000,000. Subsequent theatrical reissues, home video, and cable television have compounded the long-tail revenue.
Who directed Conan the Barbarian?
John Milius directed and co-wrote the film with Oliver Stone. Milius had previously directed The Wind and the Lion (1975) and Big Wednesday (1978). He served as an uncredited writer on Apocalypse Now (1979) and Jaws (1975), and later directed Red Dawn (1984) and Farewell to the King (1989).
Who stars in Conan the Barbarian?
Arnold Schwarzenegger stars as Conan in his first major leading role outside the bodybuilding-documentary Pumping Iron (1977). James Earl Jones plays the villain Thulsa Doom, with Sandahl Bergman as Valeria, Max von Sydow as King Osric, and Mako as the wizard narrator.
Is Conan the Barbarian based on books?
Yes. The film adapts elements from Robert E. Howard's pulp short stories published in Weird Tales magazine in the 1930s, particularly The Tower of the Elephant, The Frost-Giant's Daughter, and A Witch Shall Be Born. Milius and Stone consolidated multiple stories into a single revenge-driven narrative.
Where was Conan the Barbarian filmed?
Principal photography took place across Spain, primarily in Almeria, Madrid, the Sierra de Guara region, and the Cabo de Gata coast. The Spanish desert and mountain regions provided the Hyborian Age landscapes, while interior sets were built at the Sevilla Films Studios outside Madrid.
What did critics think of Conan the Barbarian?
Reviews were mixed-to-positive on release, with later reappraisal trending more favorable. The film holds a 71% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Roger Ebert gave it three stars, praising the production design and Basil Poledouris score that has since become one of the most influential in fantasy cinema.
Was Conan the Barbarian profitable?
Yes. Against the $20,000,000 production budget and an estimated $10,000,000 in domestic marketing spend, the worldwide gross of approximately $80,000,000 delivered substantial theatrical profit. The financial result greenlit Conan the Destroyer (1984) and established the sword-and-sorcery cycle of the 1980s.
Did Conan the Barbarian get a sequel?
Yes. Conan the Destroyer (1984), directed by Richard Fleischer, brought back Schwarzenegger on a $18,000,000 budget and earned $31,000,000 worldwide. A 2011 reboot directed by Marcus Nispel starring Jason Momoa earned only $63,500,000 worldwide on a $90,000,000 budget.
Where can I stream Conan the Barbarian?
The film is available for digital rental and purchase on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play. It periodically rotates onto Peacock, Tubi, and Pluto TV as part of Universal's catalog licensing arrangements.
Official Trailer
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